A sign that was damaged by fire is seen in a burnt forest near Boadella, at Emporda area in the Spanish province of Girona, July 24, 2012. Two big forest fires raging in the border area between France and northern Catalonia in Spain since Sunday have killed a fourth person, local authorities said on Monday, as strong winds hindered efforts to control the blaze. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

Weather experts warn of drought in Europe over its summer as firefighters tackled forest fires on Thursday, and farmers fretted over wilting crops and a repeat of 2018’s arid conditions.

In Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, farmers are fearful at the start of the growing season following below-average rainfall earlier this year — bad news after last year’s drought.